PDP Chairman Calls for Urgent Upgrades to Nation’s Healthcare Infrastructure
Outdated infrastructure and unequal access plague the nation’s medical sector. Modern facilities, advanced technology, and bipartisan collaboration are vital to ensuring quality care for all citizens.
Karachi – Altaf Shakoor, chairman of the Pasban Democratic Party (PDP), has called for urgent improvements in Pakistan’s healthcare system to reduce the need for citizens to seek medical care abroad, particularly in India.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Shakoor expressed concern over Pakistan’s reliance on foreign medical services, following reports of Pakistani patients being expelled from India during diplomatic tensions. He described such actions as unacceptable and urged Pakistan to build its own specialized medical facilities.
“Our country must invest in modern hospitals and surgical centers so that no Pakistani has to go elsewhere for treatment,” Shakoor said. He recommended government-backed, interest-free loans to establish high-quality healthcare centers and called for at least one teaching hospital in every district to train healthcare professionals.
Shakoor also highlighted the financial barriers faced by medical students, noting that high tuition fees prevent talented individuals from pursuing medical careers. He advocated for more affordable medical education to develop local expertise.
Improving the country’s healthcare infrastructure, he argued, would not only retain valuable foreign exchange but could also position Pakistan as a regional destination for medical tourism. “Healthcare is not a privilege; it’s a right,” Shakoor emphasized. “We need to prioritize the health of our people to secure our nation’s future.”
(Information sourced from Business Recorder and Sabah News reports, May 2025.)